Thursday, December 29, 2011

This is my kids' FAVORITE overall #1 dinner. And I like it because it's made...in the crock-pot!!!! One time Clare came home from school to the smell of the crock-pot cooking this recipe and told me our house smelled like a big hug. :)

Sprinkle gravy mix over chicken in crock pot, mix soup and chicken stock and pour over the top. Cook on low for 8 hrs. During last 30 minutes, stir in the cream cheese. Before serving, remove chicken and whisk sauce until smooth. Serve chicken and sauce over noodles or rice.

It's even a favorite as leftovers for lunch. (Or as a mid morning snack if you are Jude...)

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas was a bit crazy for me this year... My older sister got married out of town (for us) the week before Christmas. I thought I had planned the trip there and what I had left to do when we returned rather well... Then Ryan ended up with an appendectomy 4 hours after we got back in town from the wedding. (Something very spontaneous for left-brained me!)

Add in 3 kids, unloading and reorganizing and getting back on schedule from a long weekend out of town, a 15 month-old with an ear infection, the "normal" household routine, school Christmas parties, Christmas plays, last minute gifts and errands, assembling gifts, and wrapping I felt like I was treading water.

And I'm not a very good swimmer.

I was very grateful when my in-laws offered to take the two older kids for TWO NIGHTS so I could tend to Ryan and Ellen and the rest of my Christmas list (which I edited quite a bit after the appendectomy!). At first I felt so guilty that Clare and Jude weren't home. I felt like a bad mom for have to call in the reinforcements. But then I also realized that I had been so overwhelmed I had lost all charity in my words and actions towards them and Ryan. (OK, I might have been told this by my better half...) With the older kids having a ball at Grandma's house, I had less on my plate and was able to embrace preparing for Christmas instead of stressing over all of it. And Ryan and I enjoyed being able to spend time one-on-one with Ellen. (Something that doesn't happen a lot.) I also realized when Clare and Jude returned on Christmas Eve (what a wonderful gift!) that I was in better (perhaps more rested!) mood and had a lot more charity and patience toward them. I needed that break to be able to be a better mother and wife. I am very thankful to have been gifted my sanity this Christmas!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

After the rehearsal dinner we questioned if some people had coordinated their attire...

Then since it was the only time that all 6 siblings will be together :( we gave my parents their Christmas gift: an ipad!

Saturday was the wedding.

Some people came down the aisle by themselves...

...others needed a bit of assistance.

Here comes the bride!

Vows.

The highlight (or lowlight?) of the ceremony was when my brother, Max, had to read the petitions off of his iphone because the hard copy had been misplaced. Crisis avoided.

(Another "highlight" was his steller 'stache!)

Marian devotion by the Advent wreath.

Walking to the get-away car to cheers and applause!

Next came a fun reception!

First dance.

(Dancing makes you really thirsty!)

Pretty centerpieces.

Cupcakes.

My kids' favorite part of the reception? The candy buffet!

Another sweet ending was the floating lanterns that saw the newlyweds off!

Congratulations to Katie and Andrew!

(PS - A not so sweet ending was for Ryan who ended up with an appendectomy after our 9 hour car ride home on Monday! I drove him straight to the ER and he ended up in surgery 4 hours later. He is home now and recovering. Makes for an exciting story!!)

Hello my name is...

I have been married for 9 years to a husband that makes me laugh everyday. I stay at home with our 4 kiddos and spend my days folding laundry, filling sippy cups, and thinking of ways to make our house a home. My husband will tell you my one weakness is a bag of oreos...and I would have to agree!